ANALYZING UNDERGRADUATES’ NEEDS FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN INTERPRETER TRAINING CURRICULUM AT BANKING UNIVERSITY HCMC, VIETNAM

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze students’ needs for an improvement in interpretation course design, administered among 96 seniors from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City (BUH), Vietnam. It used a questionnaire on learning objectives, course planning, teaching contents, teaching methods, testing and evaluation in this institution. The results indicated that the students would like to get good marks in the final exams as well as acquire necessary knowledge and skills of a real interpreter. The findings also revealed that there should be more authentic practice, group-work activities, and practical collaborative evaluations. The topic selection and teaching methods need to take learners’ interests and effective formal class time into account. Finally, the results showed that the students lacked confidence in their interpreting ability; therefore, instructors should spend more time on practice and practical implications should be considered for subsequent course curriculum updates.